Grants & Contracts Accountant.

Position Summary

Position Summary:
The mission of Pierce College is to create quality educational opportunities to a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world. The Pierce College District is committed to being an anti-racist institution; to truly be anti-racist we must work deliberately to eliminate barriers that have prevented the most promising and capable students from entering and thriving in college. We work to ensure that every student in the Pierce College District feels valued, respected, and inspired to achieve their goals. We provide a brave space for Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ/QTPOC students, students with disabilities, and all students and staff to seek refuge, and an opportunity for them to cultivate their strengths, intelligence, resilience, and creativity.

This position reports to the Fiscal Budget Manager and is a senior-level accountant who works independently to perform a variety of complex fiscal support functions and to communicate financial policies to members of the district. The incumbent monitors compliance with federal and state policies and with specific terms of grants and contracts. The incumbent performs budget and accounting duties, including invoicing, analysis, a variety of reconciliations, and financial reporting.

This position has been approved for up to two (2) days of telework per week. This position requires regular and consistent attendance.

About the District:
Named as a Top 5 Finalist and a Rising Star for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom was recognized for exceptional achievements in student learning, certificate and degree completion while in community college and after transferring to a four-year institution, employment and earnings rates after graduation, and access for and success of minority and low-income students. Pierce College District was named as a Top 10 finalist for the 2021 Aspen Prize and a Top 25 for 2023.

Want a feel for our District?

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom

Located on a beautiful 140-acre site adjacent to a 340-acre community, recreational park, and Waughop Lake.

Pierce College Puyallup

Located on an expansive site with 125-acres of wooded land with beautiful hideaways.

Pierce College at JBLM

Located at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military sites, serving many of our military and active-duty families that are serving our country.

Essential Functions

Essential Functions

Accounting (Grants & Contracts) to Include Monthly/Quarterly and Biennial/Closing

• Grant and Contract budgeting, invoicing, and monitoring.

• Establish awards and budgets for all grants and contracts awarded to the District by Federal, State, and private grantors.

• Prepare monthly and quarterly invoices using a variety of online, automated, and manual processes, as required by each grantor.

• Review monthly Grant expenditures to ensure they comply with requirements of the grant and applicable Federal and State administrative and fiscal rules and regulations.

• Review budget revisions requested by program directors, submit them to grantors and enter approved revisions in the District’s accounting records if necessary. Monitor grant activity in comparison with approved budgets and follow up any unusual or unexpected activity or lack of activity with program directors.

• Establish user accounts and set permissions for District users of the SBCTC’s online grant systems – Online Grant Management System (OGMS) and the Online Budget Invoicing System (OBIS).

• Works closely with the Director of Fiscal Operations, Fiscal Budget Manager, and the Student Financials Manager to ensure proper fiscal and biennial closings. (Perform necessary accruals, transfers, close/open entries).

• Builds close open table for funds 145 and 849.

• Leads professional accounting staff involved in the tracing and monitoring of all agency expenditures and revenue, funds management, accounting reports and statements and development of new/modified accounting systems (focusing primarily on Grant & Contracts as well as Financial Aid expenditures & reconciliation).

Reporting

• Preparation of complex reports for internal and external parties, including but not limited to: the State Auditor’s Office, the Office of Financial Management, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the Department of Education, and Section E of IPEDS. This includes reconciliation reports, indirect cost rate analysis reports and other financial reports.

Financial Aid Expenditure Reconciliation

• Financial Aid Expenditure Reconciliation and Reimbursements – Review and monitor financial aid expenditures, reconciling the Financial Aid system with the District’s General Ledger, and perform operating transfers involving financial aid expenditures as needed.

• Communicate and work with the District’s financial aid department to resolve any discrepancies.

• Use online system to perform drawdowns (cash requests) for all major financial aid programs.

Policies & Procedures, Communications & Relations

• Serves as required, or as necessary, on various committees throughout the District and State.

• Serves as liaison and/or assigns other staff to participate with and advise department administrators regarding accounting rules and policy interpretations for Grants, Contracts and Financial Aid.

• Fosters partnerships with other colleges in Pierce County and/or statewide, as appropriate to topics of interest to the district.

• Develop and maintain District policies and procedures to ensure compliance with State and Federal laws and regulations, and community college system fiscal policies. When needed, recommend changes in policies/procedures to serve the best interest of the District.

Teamwork

• Participates with and serves as backup for other Finance Department activities, including but not limited to: mailing of Refund, Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Financial Aid checks.

• Assists in preparation of records, annually, for archival.

• Completes special projects as assigned by the Fiscal Budget Manager, Director of Fiscal Operations, or Associate Vice President of Fiscal Services.

Qualifications

Required Education:

• Some college level coursework including at least 15 quarter or 10 semester hours in accounting, auditing, or budgeting from an accredited college or university OR equivalent work experience in accounting, auditing, or budgeting. For this requirement, the equivalent work experience is considered to be six (6) months.

Required Experience:

• Experience with budget coding systems.

• Experience monitoring expenditures and reconciling funds and accounts.

• Comprehensive understanding of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

• Financial Aid Expenditure Reconciliation and Reimbursements – Review and monitor financial aid expenditures, reconciling the Financial Aid system with the District’s General Ledger, and perform operating transfers involving financial aid expenditures as needed.

• Communicate and work with the District’s financial aid department to resolve any discrepancies.

Special Requirements

• The successful candidate must consent to and pass a criminal background check after a conditional offer of employment.

Required Competencies: Knowledge, skills, abilities, traits and characteristics:

Job Knowledge

• Understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Department of Education (DOE), and any applicable Office of Financial Management (OFM), State Board for Community and Technical College (SBCTC), or Washington State laws as outlined in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Utilization of the previously referenced items is outlined in the State Administrative & Accounting Manual (SAAM) or the SBCTC Fiscal Affairs Manual (FAM).

• Ability to work with a complex fund structure, detailed budgets, and extensive chart of accounts.

• Ability to monitor and review input and output of financial data, and develop fiscal queries and reports

• Ability to interpret and explain applicable state and federal regulations.

• Ability to work effectively and positively with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and educationally diverse populations.

Interpersonal Skills

• Strong positive interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively and be a team-oriented leader. Work effectively across organizational lines and create and nurture a safe, bias-free working environment which engenders respect for all individuals and for their differences.

• Ability to work effectively and positively with individuals of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and educationally diverse populations.

Personal Responsibility

• Respects and maintains confidentiality. Earn the trust, respect, and confidence of co-workers and students through consistent honest, forthrightness, and professionalism in all interactions.

• Be relied upon to achieve excellent results; face up to problems with people quickly, directly, and in a manner that is consistent with the types of communication that is outlined in this job description.

Application Process

Application Requirements:

To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.

• Complete the online application profile at: .

• Apply for the specific job opening.

• Upload (attach) a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement. (Cover Letter)

• Upload (attach) detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience. (Résumé)

• Transcripts are not required in order to apply for this position; however, if you are selected for an interview, you will be asked to bring copies of unofficial transcripts showing completion of the required level of education. Please upload current copies of your transcripts, if available. Unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts must include degree received and conferral date. International transcripts must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services visit:(Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application process; official transcripts required upon hire). (Transcripts)

• Upload (attach) a list of at least three (3) professional references with names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. At least one reference must be your current or most recent supervisor. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted. (References)

• Provide a response to the following question. (Supplemental Question): "How does this position impact the College's goal to support all students and to achieve racial and social equity in pursuit of mission?"Please limit your response to a maximum of 500 words.

Special Note: To ensure consideration, application materials should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

Terms of Employment:

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) classified, overtime-eligible position with the Pierce College District. This position is permanent after serving a 6-month probationary period. The primary work location will be at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom campus. Occasional travel to Pierce College campuses or sites may occur. Work hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00p.m. Monday through Friday with occasional evenings and weekend work, and occasional travel as required. This position may be subject to reassignment between campuses or sites. This position has been approved for up to two (2) days of telework per week. This position requires regular and consistent attendance.

Salary & Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $64,440.00 to $76,608.00 annually. The starting salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and related experience. Most candidates start at $64,440.00. However, your paycheck is just part of the total compensation package. There is an outstanding benefits package which is worth an additional value equivalent to about 30% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided.